Operation Device for Vehicle

1. An operation device for a vehicle comprising: a monitor for displaying information related to in-vehicle equipment installed in the vehicle, and an operating knob for outputting an operation command signal to the in-vehicle equipment based on information displayed on the monitor, wherein the operating knob is formed to have different operating loads at different operating positions, and switching over of a plurality of operation menu display screens and switching over of a plurality of function display screens for the in-vehicle equipment displayed on the monitor are carried out by tilting of the operating knob in a plurality of directions, pivoting of the operating knob around an axis thereof in a predetermined angle range, and operation of a main switch provided on a front part of the operating knob, wherein the operating knob comprises a first variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a tilt angle of the operating knob, the first variable load mechanism having a sliding member having an end which engages with multiple guide grooves formed on an inner surface of a hemispherical-shaped recess of a base member, the sliding member for guiding the operating knob in a proper tilt direction, and wherein said first variable load mechanism is configured to make said operating load, which is produced in tilting the operating knob, variable in response to a change in relative position of the sliding member with respect to the guide grooves.

2. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a display screen displayed on the monitor is returned to a higher level display screen by operation of sub switches provided on opposite side parts on the left and right of the operating knob.

3. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the operating knob comprises a second variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a pivot angle of the operating knob.

4. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the operating knob is held at a neutral position in the tilt direction when the operating knob is not in operation.

5. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the guide grooves in the hemispherical-shaped recess enable the operating knob to tilt in only eight different directions.

6. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the operating knob comprises a second variable load mechanism which is located above and apart from the first variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a pivot angle of the operating knob.

7. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the second variable load mechanism has click stop means for stopping the operating knob at a plurality of positions in a pivoting direction.

8. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said end of the sliding member is hemispherical-shaped and resiliently urged toward the multiple guide grooves by a spring interposed between the sliding member and the operating knob and said guide grooves extend radially in multiple directions and each of the guide groove is tapered from radially inside to outside.

9. An operation device for a vehicle comprising: a monitor for displaying information related to in-vehicle equipment installed in the vehicle, and an operating knob for outputting an operation command signal to the in-vehicle equipment based on information displayed on the monitor, wherein the operating knob comprises: a first variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a tilt angle of the operating knob, and a second variable load mechanism for giving a restraining feel to operation by changing an operating load according to a pivot angle of the operating knob, and switching over of a plurality of operation menu display screens and switching over of a plurality of function display screens for the in-vehicle equipment displayed on the monitor are carried out by tilting of the operating knob in a plurality of directions, pivoting of the operating knob around an axis thereof in a predetermined angle range, and operation of a main switch provided on a front part of the operating knob, wherein the operating knob is supported on a base plate via a plate-shaped member which is integral with a rotary shaft of the operating knob so that the operating knob can swing in fore-and-aft and left-and-right directions, wherein the plate-shaped member is provided with a part of components of each of the first variable load mechanism and the second variable load mechanism, and wherein the plate-shaped member includes a lower support shaft which projects downwardly from a lower surface thereof and extends part way into a hemispherical-shaped recess of a base member located below the plate-shaped member. wherein the lower support shaft has a hollow bore for housing a sliding member, the sliding member being one of the components of the first variable load mechanism, and wherein said first variable load mechanism is configured to make said operating load, which is produced in tilting the operating knob, variable in response to a change in relative position of the sliding member with respect to the hemispherical-shaped recess of the base member.

10. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein a display screen displayed on the monitor is returned to a higher level display screen by operation of sub switches provided on opposite side parts on the left and right of the operating knob.

11. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the operating knob is held at a neutral position in the tilt direction when the operating knob is not in operation.

12. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the first variable load mechanism of the operating knob has guide means for guiding the operating knob in a proper tilt direction, the sliding member is formed with a hemispherical-shaped sliding portion which engages with the guide means for guiding the operating knob in the proper tilt direction, hemispherical-shaped sliding portion having a diameter larger than that of the hollow bore of the lower support shaft.

13. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the guide means is formed in the hemispherical-shaped recess formed in the base member is located under the plate-shaped member, and the guide means enables the operating knob to tilt in only eight different directions.

14. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the second variable load mechanism has click stop means for stopping the operating knob at a plurality of positions in a pivoting direction.

15. The operation device for a vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein said sliding member has an end which is hemispherical-shaped and resiliently urged toward the hemispherical-shaped recess of the base member by a spring interposed between the sliding member and the operating knob in said hollow bore.